Why Mala Buni must step down as APC Chairman

The Supreme Court judgment which upheld Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu‘s victory is a hint of what the All Progressives Congress might experience in 2023 if Mala Buni remains its acting Chairman.

Buni is a serving governor and the Nigerian constitution prevents him from holding another position not attached to that office.

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Lessons to be learnt

The interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Buni, is not on a term duration. Thus, there is a lacuna in the constitution. As a serving governor, Buni enjoys immunity and was not included in the suit. But from the way things are currently, the ruling party are yet to learn their lessons.

The opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had internal issues in 2015. This led to several defections which reduced their strength across the country and subsequently led to their loss of the 2015 presidential elections.

As it stands, the ruling party appears power-drunk and are legalising illegality. The former legal adviser of the party, Muiz Banire, has summed it up as recklessness. This follows the party’s insistence on going ahead with the ward congress. In as much as the notice of the process is signed by Buni, many from the opposition party see an opportunity.

The Zamfara Case Study

Looking at the case in Zamfara, the former Governor Yari approached the court to legalise the primary election he organised. He ended up costing the state all seats won in the 2019 election. The same can be said of both Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Although President Buhari as the party leader named the Yobe Governor in the interim position, holding ward congress in some states with the notice being signed by Buni, who is currently occupying two offices means the ruling party is sitting on a keg of gun powder.

Keyamo Warnings

The likes of Festus Keyamo, who know the intricacies in interpreting the law by different Nigerian judges, have been calling for the removal of Buni.

Seeing how Akeredolu escaped being removed from office by the whiskers is a sign of what is to come. APC needs to quickly advise Buni to step down. Allowing a neutral personality to take charge will help in the months ahead, as the party prepares for its national convention.

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Even the ward congress that was held witnessed some issues with some party members aggrieved. For the states that have suspended theirs, another notice should be issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This time around, it should be signed by another person to avoid the recklessness noted by Banire.

The Anambra Election

Ahead of the Anambra election, Buni signed Andy Uba’s form. If the APC candidate wins the poll, there is likely to be a problem for APC as the petitioner will want to join Buni in the suit this time around by correcting the mistake made by Eyitayo Jegede, the governorship aspirant of PDP in Ondo State.

To minimise the risks of an electoral disaster in 2023, Buni must leave the chairman’s seat to avoid APC losing future elections under various technicalities of the law.